Battle-Only Form (GO)

A Battle-Only Form is a form transformation which a Pokémon can achieve during certain conditions while battling in Pokémon GO. They were introduced as a mechanic along with Morpeko during the Halloween 2024 Part I event. Currently, nothing with a Battle-Only Form can be used in Gyms in any way.

List of Battle-Only Forms

Pokémon		Base form		Battle-Only Form		Effect	Release date
#0681	Aegislash		Shield Forme		Blade Forme	This Pokémon will change to Blade Forme when using a charged attack. It will change back to Shield Forme when shielding. While in Shield Forme, it does not use a visible Fast Attack, but instead charges energy (while barely damaging the opponent). While in Blade Forme, its Attack rises, but its Defense drops.	July 22, 2025
#0877	Morpeko		Full Belly Mode		Hangry Mode	This Pokémon will transform when it uses a Charged Attack. When in Hangry Mode, Aura Wheel changes to a Dark-type attack.	October 22, 2024

In the core series games

Castform and Cherrim both possess forms which can only be activated during battle in the core series games. In Pokémon GO, these forms are instead permanent and set upon encountering them in the wild.

Darmanitan, Meloetta, Greninja, Mimikyu, and Necrozma all have at least one battle-exclusive form in the core series which has not yet been included in Pokémon GO.

The concept of Battle-Only Forms predates the release of Aegislash, Wishiwashi, Minior, Cramorant, Palafin, Ogerpon, and Terapagos all of whom can enter distinct forms during battle in the core series games.

Trivia

• Since its release, Xerneas has entered its Active Mode when sent into battle. As there is no gameplay difference between this form and its Neutral Mode, and its release predates this concept, it is not considered a Battle-Only Form.

In other languages

Related articles

Pokémon forms and variants Permanent Shiny Pokémon (GO · GO list · TCG) • Alternately colored Pokémon (animation) • Gender differences Form differences (GO) • Totem-like Pokémon • Brilliant Pokémon • Alpha Pokémon Form changes and transformations Mega Evolution (Shuffle · Masters · GO) • Primal Reversion (GO) • Bond Phenomenon Ultra Burst • Dynamax (GO) • Gigantamax (GO) • Eternamax • Terastal phenomenon Groups Totem Pokémon • Noble Pokémon • Titan Pokémon Regional forms Alolan • Galarian • Hisuian • Paldean Analogous species Paradox Pokémon • Ecologically similar Pokémon Species-specific Arbok variants • Pikachu variants (Surfing · Flying · Cosplay · Cap) Ditto transformations • Eevee variants Miscellaneous Giant Pokémon • Spiky-eared Pichu • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) Fusions (GO) • Human–Pokémon transformation • Talking Pokémon Side series original Colo/XD: Shadow Pokémon (Shadow Lugia · list) Spin-off original GO: Shadow Pokémon (list) • • Mighty Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Primal Dialga • Rumble: Toy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon) Pokkén: Shadow Mewtwo • Quest: Pokéxel • New Snap: Illumina phenomenon Animation original Pokémon the Series: Pink Butterfree • Clone Pokémon • Crystal Onix Mirage Pokémon • Meta Groudon • Green-crystal Deoxys Manga original Adventures: Thu-Fi-Zer • Electric Tale: Black Fog • Golden Boys: Black Tyranitar TCG original Crystal Pokémon • Dark Pokémon • Light Pokémon δ Delta Species • • • Radiant Pokémon

This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames.